UNF erases 19-point deficit, defeats Stetson

On the wrong side of a one-sided score 12 minutes into Saturday night’s basketball game against Stetson, UNF coach Matthew Driscoll could hardly believe his eyes.

“I looked up, and I sat down and said, ‘Do you realize that it’s 29-10?’ ” Driscoll said. “If any of you guys have got anything for me, let me know, because this isn’t good.”

The Ospreys were listening.

They stormed back from a dismal start, erasing a 19-point deficit to complete a season sweep of visiting Stetson with a 64-59 victory at UNF Arena.

The win snapped a losing run for the Ospreys (9-15, 4-7 Atlantic Sun), who had lost six of their previous seven games.

In the first half, Stetson (9-13, 6-5) reigned supreme on the interior, getting 10 points from top scorer Chris Perez and nine more from forward Willie Green while stopping UNF’s outside shooting game.

But a spurt just before halftime, ending with a Travis Wallace tip-in as the horn sounded, gave UNF hope.

Down 35-23 at the half, the Ospreys returned from the break on a 13-0 run, fueled by two 3-pointers by Beau Beech.

“The team got sparked, and we were getting stops, which was key,” Beech said.

“We finally started making some plays on offense.”

What followed was a grinding, back-and-forth slugfest that included 11 lead changes and 26 fouls in the second half.

With 4:40 to play, UNF took the lead for good when Wallace drove to the hoop and hit a reverse layup.

The Ospreys were helped when the Stetson bench committed a technical foul with 2:38 to play and UNF up 54-53.

The Ospreys took advantage and showed composure at the line. Wallace and Parker Smith combined to go 8 for 8 on free throws in the final three minutes.

“It just seems like they’re always going in,” Driscoll said. “That’s how much confidence I have in Travis now.”

Wallace led the Ospreys with 18 points and seven rebounds.

“It all comes down to defense,” Wallace said. “We played hard against a good team in Stetson, and we were fortunate to come out with the win.”

Next up for the Ospreys is a Thursday trip to A-Sun foe Kennesaw State, which is currently last in the conference with a 2-20 mark. UNF won the previous meeting 81-72 on Jan. 12.